Skipper Craig Moore was a surprise inclusion as Queensland Roar buried their home ground hoodoo with a well-deserved 4-1 A-League win over Perth Glory.
Moore, who had an operation for testicular cancer just 12 days ago, returned to the fold to guide the Roar to their first win at Suncorp Stadium this season.
The 32-year old inspired his team from the back after management said earlier in the week he was “99.99 per cent” sure not to play.
Roar coach Frank Farina played down suggestions that he had intended to play Moore all along.
“Craig being Craig, I could see him loitering around after training yesterday. He sent me a text really early this morning and in a nutshell said he was really keen to play,” Farina said.
“Craig Moore is very rare, how many players get diagnosed with testicular cancer, play two to three days later, then again (12) days after surgery?”
The Glory had dominated and had several opportunities to take the lead early on in the match but failed to capitalise on good lead-up play on several occasions.
Only a desperate save from Roar `keeper Liam Reddy that prevented the visitors from scoring in the 39th minute, when Glory striker Adrian Trinidad fired a shot on the half volley 15 metres out.
It wasn’t until Tahj Minniecon was brought down in the box by Glory defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley in the throws of half-time that Roar striker Serginho van Dijk stepped up to the penalty box and put the home side on the board.
The Minniecon and van Dijk combination struck again in first half injury time.
Van Dijk found space down the left flank and crossed low to Minniecon who slotted home for a 2-0 lead.
Farina said his side were lucky to go into half time with the 2-0 lead after their worst half of football in this season.
“We took our chances tonight, and that was the difference,” Farina said.
The Roar continued their momentum in the second half, with the opportunistic Charlie Miller driving home a spectacular volley on the diagonal from outside the box in the 55th minute.
It didn’t take long for the Glory to bounce back though, Nikita Rukavytsya finding himself in space in the 57th minute to deliver a pass to Jamie Harnwell who slid forward and tapped the ball into the back of the net.
But the comeback wasn’t to be, and Roar replacement Mitchell Nichols dealt the death blow while in heavy traffic by lobbing the ball over the head of Glory `keeper Tando Velaphi in the 82nd minute.
Glory coach David Mitchell said it was disappointing that the scoreline didn’t reflect his team’s performance.
“First half I think we dominated the game. If we had of capitalised on (our chances) I think we would have won the game,” Mitchell said.
“It went from a killer domination to being two-nil down. Goals change games and that’s exactly what happened to us.”
The win leapfrogs the Roar from fifth to third spot on the ladder with 18 points, while Glory remain in last position on 11 points.
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